Masquerade in Bridal Attire and Marry the Prince

66. Yuxing Wei

Translator: Antonia

But to disgrace Du Chuxuan in public, one should ask for his willingness first, “You are…?” He looked at Imperial Concubine Xiao in confusion, as if he had just remarked this person.

After all, the women who were permitted to the palace were either wives or mothers of senior officials or those with a title themselves. Du Chuxuan couldn’t say that he had met every important person in the palace, at least he had never seen this woman. Besides, the woman hadn’t greeted him when she saw him, so she couldn’t be related to any senior officials.

When it came to the identity of Imperial Concubine Xiao, the expressions of the Empress and the Empress Dowager weren’t pleasant. After all, Imperial Concubine Xiao was an accident happened to the Emperor many years ago and a reason why a prince had been left outside the palace. To the Empress, this was a proof of the Emperor’s disloyalty, while to the Empress Dowager, Imperial Concubine Xiao was a shame on the decency of the imperial family.

“No wonder. You haven’t seen her before. This is Imperial Concubine Xiao. She was in poor health before and stayed outside the palace to recover. Now, she’s well and moves back.” The Empress wasn’t delighted and quickly recited the excuse she had prepared in advance.

Du Chuxuan understood. This was a way to both save the dignity of the imperial family and let the prince justifiably move into the palace. To the public, the Emperor maintained an impression of benevolence. He had only let Imperial Concubine Xiao stay and took great care of her because of her poor health, after he had ordered to dismiss the entire harem.

Now, since she was all well, there was still room left for this poor woman. In every way, the imperial family appeared decent and lenient. Notwithstanding the contempt in his heart, Du Chuxuan didn’t show it and just smiled, “Your Highness the Imperial Concubine Xiao, I didn’t know. Please forgive me for everything.”

He curtsied elegantly to Imperial Concubine Xiao, which worsened the expressions of the other two women. Even though Du Chuxuan was merely a princess, her rank was higher than any concubine of the Emperor, despite a concubine was a senior in relative terms. Concubine Xiao wasn’t worthy of the curtsy, let to mention her humble origin.

Imperial Concubine Xiao’s eyelid twitched. She was crystal clear that Du Chuxuan was taking the opportunity to pay her back for what she had said. What a skillful application of leverage!

Instantly, she rose to her feet, “Your Highness is frightening me. I’m just an Imperial Concubine, not worthy of your curtsy.” Her terrified look made the Empress Dowager’s expression better, but she already had a layer of cold sweat on her back.

Du Chuxuan snorted and returned to his own seat, saying no more. The women began to wait for the Emperor and the Crown Prince to come over for a family dinner.

In a short while, Yuxing Tianrui followed in behind the Emperor. The usher walking in the front was Fu, while following behind them were two youths. The strange one looked very much like the Emperor. Little wonder that he was decided to be a son of the Emperor merely with that face.

It was a family dinner, so there weren’t many strict rules. After everyone took seat, the Emperor announced the commencement. Yuxing Tianrui sat next to Du Chuxuan, and his calm face didn’t reveal anything of what the Emperor had said with him.

“Your Majesty, this is the plum juice I’ve made in the small kitchen, best to rid of heat and thirst. Now it’s mid-summer, Your Majesty, Her Royal Highness the Empress Dowager and Her Highness the Empress should drink some to relieve the summer heat.” The dinner was going on well, when a maidservant carried a kettle of plum juice and walked over while Imperial Concubine Xiao explained.

Sitting next to her was the third prince. Because the eldest prince was brought up by the Empress, he was now sitting next to the Empress. Therefore, now the mother and son sat farthest instead.

“Father, my mom makes the best plum juice. In the summer, I always beg her to make some for me, but she doesn’t want to spoil me. Now, blessed by father, grandmother, and mother, I can finally have it.” The third prince said in a childishly innocent way. He was named Wei, and after he moved to the palace, he was called Yuxing Wei.

Du Chuxuan silently got himself a drumstick and inwardly ridiculed. How innocent the third prince appeared to be! If he was really so, he wouldn’t have so thoughtfully flattered everyone with his sweetened words. What a sensitive mind! He was more pleasant a person than the eldest prince.

One had to admit that this third prince gave the Emperor a fresh new experience. The mother of the eldest prince had left the palace many years ago, and he was fostered by the Empress, a situation in which he had long developed a self-composed temperament regardless of any earthshaking event. He was steady and prudent, could be trusted with whatever task, and never jealous of others.

Such a temperament suited him perfectly until more competitors showed up, because the world would undoubtedly belong to Yuxing Tianrui, and he could enjoy being a wealthy respected prince for a lifetime as long as he did or said what he ought to. The Emperor was also glad to see the brothers getting along well.

As for Yuxing Tianrui, he had been taught how to be an emperor since an early age. The reading and learning had occupied most of his time, so since very long ago, the Emperor hadn’t enjoyed the happiness of a young son’s company. Even though he was very satisfied with Yuxing Tianrui, in comparison, emotionally, he favored the third prince.

After all, in the eye of the Emperor, the third prince had just moved to the palace, without a powerful mother to support him or any advantages in himself, and constituted no threat to Yuxing Tianrui at all. As long as he could abide by the rules of the imperial family, the Emperor was more than willing to feed him and have him around, since he brought over no threat but a sense of family.

Du Chuxuan turned his head a little and saw Yuxing Tianrui quietly put a drumstick into Du Chuxuan’s plate too, “Aren’t you eager to have meat? Now, since we’re back, eat as much meat as you like.”

He smiled, as if he hadn’t heard what the third prince had said, and picked food for Du Chuxuan. His words startled all the women around Du Chuxuan.

Du Chuxuan was also shocked because he knew that Yuxing Tianrui said it on purpose to overturn Imperial Concubine Xiao’s previous comment. Du Chuxuan felt amazed at the ability of Yuxing Tianrui’s people who were able to know what had been happening here while Yuxing Tianrui was with the Emperor. Now this capable little prince belonged to him! The notion delighted Du Chuxuan.

It was self-evident what the women had in mind. The Empress and the Empress Dowager looked sorry and regretted that they had suspected Du Chuxuan.